thiên lí
[tʰiən˧˧ li˧˦]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) Tonkin jasmine (Telosma cordata)
Register: formal
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
bông thiên lí xào thịt bòstir-fried Tonkin jasmine flowers and beef
Nhà tôi ở cuối thôn đồi
Có giàn thiên lý, có người tôi thương.My home is at the hillside village's farthest end;
There's a cowslip creeper trellis, there my beloved is.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(noun) great distance
Register: formal
Examples
[…] địa hình vô cùng hiểm trở; đường thiên lí khoảng này là độc đạo, trên thì núi cao, dưới thì biển và đầm phá,[…][…] the terrain is extremely rugged; this stretch of the long road is the only path, surrounded by high mountains on one side and sea, swamps, and lagoons on the other; […]
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(noun) rules of nature; laws of nature; natural law
Register: formal
Common questions
What does “thiên lí” mean?
(noun) Tonkin jasmine (Telosma cordata)
Is “thiên lí” formal or informal?
thiên lí is generally formal.